Wireless Tracking System And Method With Extreme Temperature Resistant Tag

ABSTRACT

A wireless tracking system and method for real-time location tracking of an extreme-temperature sterilizable object is disclosed herein. The system and method utilize a tag attached to the extreme-temperature sterilizable object which includes a housing, a processor, a temperature sensor and a transceiver. If an internal temperature of the tag is detected by the temperature sensor, the tag enters a sleep mode. The temperature sensor periodically activates to determine if the internal temperature of the tag is within an acceptable operating range.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The Present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/325,030, filed on Nov. 28, 2008, which claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/991,683, filed on Nov. 30,2007, now abandoned.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to wireless tracking systems andmethods. More specifically, the present invention relates to a wirelesstracking system and method for a tag subject to extreme temperatures.

2. Description of the Related Art

The ability to quickly determine the location of objects located withina facility is becoming a necessity of life. To the uninformed observer,the placement of transponders, also known as tags, on numerousnon-stationary objects whether in an office or home would appear to bean unnecessary use of resources. However, the uninformed observer failsto appreciate the complexity of modern life and the desire forefficiency, whether at the office or home.

For example, in a typical hospital there are numerous shifts ofemployees utilizing the same equipment. When a new shift arrives theability to quickly locate medical equipment not only results in a moreefficient use of resources, but also can result in averting a medicalemergency. Thus, the tracking of medical equipment in a hospital isbecoming a standard practice.

The tracking of objects in other facilities is rapidly becoming a meansof achieving greater efficiency. A typical radio frequencyidentification system includes at least multiple tagged objects, each ofwhich transmits a signal, multiple receivers for receiving thetransmissions from the tagged objects, and a processing means foranalyzing the transmissions to determine the locations of the taggedobjects within a predetermined environment.

Medical equipment subject to extreme temperatures includes surgical kitsor surgical trays which are typically sterilized in an autoclave at hightemperatures to destroy any living organisms (bacteria, fungi, virusesand spores). Autoclaves generally use heat and high pressure to destroythe living organisms. These high temperatures are often in excess of 120degrees Fahrenheit, and as high as 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

The surgical trays are typically composed of stainless steel, aluminumor another metal. Various surgical instruments are contained within thesurgical tray. An example of such a tray is disclosed in Wood, U.S. Pat.No. 6,827,913, for a Modular Sterilization Tray Systems For MedicalInstruments.

The autoclave sterilization temperatures are far beyond the typicallyroom temperature operating ranges for most RFID tags or similar wirelesstracking tags. However, there is a need to track the location of thesurgical trays since the ability to monitor the location and thesterilization status of such surgical trays allows a hospital or otherlike facility to adequately prepare for a surgery procedure.

Nycz, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,029, for a Smart Instrument Tray RFIDReader, discloses the use of passive RFID tags that are attached tosurgical instruments to provide information on the contents of asurgical tray. The RFID tags can be encased in such materials as Phenol,Glass, Wood, Epoxy resin, Silicon, Rubber, Polyvinyl Chloride,Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, common plastic and Styrofoam.

Nicholson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,255,949, for a High Temperature RFIDTag, discloses an RFID tag that is capable of withstanding temperaturesof −40. degrees Celsius to 300 degrees Celsius. The tag is placed withina housing composed of a high thermally resistant material such as RYTONPPS compound or TEFLON.

Although the prior art has provided numerous solutions, the prior arthas failed to recognize the problems associated with wireless locationasset tracking in a temporary high temperature environment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has recognized that operating a wireless trackingsystem in a temporary high temperature environment creates uniqueproblems such as the fact that transmitting while in a high temperatureenvironment such as an autoclave is difficult and would consume too muchpower of the limited power supply of an active tag.

One aspect of the present invention is a method for real-time locationmonitoring of an extreme-temperature sterilizable object. The methodincludes tracking a location of an extreme-temperature sterilizableobject bearing a tag. The tag includes a moisture resistant housingcomposed of an extreme-temperature resistant material, a processorwithin the housing, a transceiver within the housing for transmitting aradiofrequency signal through the housing and a temperature sensorwithin the housing and electrically connected to the processor. Themethod also includes monitoring an internal temperature of the housingof the tag utilizing the temperature sensor. The method also includesdetecting an internal temperature outside an acceptable operatingtemperature range for the tag by the temperature sensor. The method alsoincludes activating a sleep mode for the tag, the sleep mode utilizingminimal tag activity. The method also includes periodically activatingthe temperature sensor to determine the internal temperature of tag. Themethod also includes sensing an internal temperature within theoperating range for the tag. The method also includes reactivating anoperating mode for the tag.

Optionally, the method also includes broadcasting a status signal fromthe transceiver of the tag to a plurality of network sensors positionedwithin an indoor facility.

Optionally, the method also includes transmitting the status signal fromat least one of the plurality of network sensors to a positioning engineto track the real-time location of the extreme temperature sterilizableobject.

Optionally, the method also includes broadcasting a status signal withan extreme temperature signal from the transceiver of the tag to aplurality of network sensors positioned within an indoor facility priorto activating the sleep mode.

The preferred acceptable operating temperature range ranges from 40° F.to 120° F.

The housing is preferably composed of a polyetherimide resin material.

The tracking tag preferably transmits a radiofrequency transmission ofapproximately 2.48 GigaHertz, and each of the plurality of networksensors communicates utilizing a 802.15.4 protocol.

Optionally, the method also includes sterilizing the extreme-temperaturesterilizable object in an autoclave at a temperature exceeding 120° F.

Optionally, the method also includes sterilizing the extreme-temperaturesterilizable object in a freezer at a temperature below 32° F.

Another aspect of the present invention is a system for real-timelocation monitoring of an extreme-temperature sterilizable object. Thesystem includes a plurality of network sensors, a tracking tag and meansfor processing the signals from the tracking tag. Each of the pluralityof network sensors is positioned within an indoor facility. The trackingtag is attached to an extreme-temperature sterilizable object. Thetracking tag includes a moisture resistant housing composed of anextreme-temperature resistant material, means for detecting an internaltemperature of the tag, means for switching the tag from a operatingmode to a sleep mode upon a signal from the internal temperaturedetection means, and means for wirelessly transmitting to each of theplurality of network sensors a signal that the tracking tag has entereda sleep mode.

The processing means is preferably a remote server in communication withthe plurality of network sensors.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a tag for real-timelocation monitoring of an extreme-temperature sterilizable object. Thetag includes a moisture resistant housing composed of anextreme-temperature resistant material, a processor, a transceiver, anda temperature sensor circuit. The processor is positioned within thehousing. The processor is configured to switch the tag from an operatingmode to a sleep mode upon an extreme temperature signal. The transceiveris positioned within the housing and transmits a radiofrequency signalthrough the housing. The temperature sensor circuit is positioned withinthe housing and is electrically connected to the processor. Thetemperature sensor circuit is configured to detect an internaltemperature outside an acceptable operating temperature range for thetag.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a tag for real-timelocation monitoring of an extreme-temperature sterilizable object. Thetag includes a housing composed of an extreme-temperature resistantmaterial and an integrated circuit and power supply enclosed within thehousing. The integrated circuit includes a microcontroller, atransceiver, a temperature sensor and a motion sensor. Themicrocontroller is configured to switch the tag from an operating modeto a sleep mode upon an extreme temperature signal. The transceiver isin communication with the microcontroller. The temperature sensor is incommunication with the microcontroller and configured to detect aninternal temperature outside an acceptable operating temperature rangefor the tag. The motion sensor is in communication with themicrocontroller. The internal power supply is enclosed within thehousing and connected to the integrated circuit.

Having briefly described the present invention, the above and furtherobjects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by thoseskilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description ofthe invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is schematic view of a wireless asset tracking system.

FIG. 2 is a multi-floor view of a facility employing a wireless assettracking system.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a surgical tray.

FIG. 3A is an illustration of an interior of a surgical tray.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a tag.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of a tag with an integrated circuit.

FIG. 4B is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of a tag with anintegrated circuit.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, a wireless asset tracking system is generallydesignated 50. The system 50 is capable of determining real-timelocation of an asset 100 within an indoor facility 70. The system 50preferably includes a plurality of sensors 55, a plurality of bridges56, a plurality of tags 60 and at least one server 65. One example ofthe components of the system 50 is disclosed in Smith et al., U.S. Pat.No. 7,312,752 for a Wireless Position Location And Tracking System,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. A morespecific example of the sensors 55 is disclosed in Smith et al., U.S.Pat. No. 7,324,824 for a Plug-In Network Appliance, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. Another example of a system50 is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,751,455 for a Power-AndBandwidth-Adaptive In-Home Wireless Communications System WithPower-Grid-Powered Agents And Battery-Powered Clients, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

The system 50 is preferably employed within an indoor facility 70 suchas hospital or other like facility. The system 50 is utilized to trackand locate various assets (objects) positioned throughout the facility70. The tags 60 preferably continuously transmit signals on apredetermined time cycle, and these signals are received by sensors 55positioned throughout the facility 70. In a preferred embodiment, thetags 60 transmit a signal every five seconds when in motion, and asignal every ten minutes when stationary. The sensors 55 preferablytransmit the data to a bridge 56 for transmission to a server 65. If asensor 55 is unable to transmit to a bridge 56, the sensor 55 maytransmit to another sensor 55 in a mesh network-like system for eventualtransmission to a bridge 56. In a preferred embodiment, a transmissioncan be relayed from a sensor 55 to a bridge 56 up to a transmissiondistance of six sensors 55 from the bridge 56. The server 65 preferablycontinuously receives transmissions from the sensors 55 via the bridges56 concerning the movement of assets 100 bearing a tag 60 within thefacility 70. The server 65 processes the transmissions from the sensors55 and calculates a real-time position for each of the assets 100bearing a tag 60 within the facility 70. The real-time locationinformation for each of the assets 100 bearing a tag 60 is preferablydisplayed on an image of a floor plan of the indoor facility 70, or ifthe facility 70 has multiple floors, then on the floor plan images ofthe floors of the facility 70. The floor plan image may be used with agraphical user interface so that an individual of the facility 70 isable to quickly locate assets 100 within the facility 70.

The assets 100 are preferably items of value to the owners or users ofthe system 50 and/or the facility 70. In a hospital setting, the assets100 could include vital sign monitoring devices, kidney dialysismachines, imaging devices, and other like items that are valuable andmobile. In particular for the present invention, the assets 100 includesurgical trays which preferably contain surgical instruments, such asshown in FIGS. 3 and 3A.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system 50 utilizes sensors 55 to monitor andidentify the real-time position of non-stationary assets 100 bearing orintegrated with tags 60. The sensors 55 a-f preferably wirelesslycommunicate with each other (shown as double arrow lines) and with aserver 65 through a wired connection 66 via at least one bridge 56, suchas disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 7,324,824 for aPlug-in Network Appliance. The tags 60 a-c transmit signals (shown asdashed lines) which are received by the sensors 55 a-e, which thentransmit signals to bridges 56 for eventual transmission to a server 65.The server 65 is preferably located on-site at the facility 70. However,the system 50 may also include an off-site server 65, not shown.

Each tag 60 preferably transmits a radio frequency signal ofapproximately 2.48 GigaHertz (“GHz”). The communication format ispreferably IEEE Standard 802.15.4. Those skilled in the pertinent artwill recognize that the tags 60 may operate at various frequencieswithout departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the facility 70 depicted is a hospital. The facility70 has a multitude of floors 75 a-c. An elevator 80 provides accessbetween the various floors 75 a, 75 b and 75 c. Each floor 75 a, 75 band 75 c has a multitude of rooms 90 a-i, with each room 90 accessiblethrough a door 85. Positioned throughout the facility 70 are sensors 55a-o for obtaining readings from tags 60 a-d attached to or integratedinto non-stationary assets 100. A bridge 56 is also shown for receivingtransmissions from the sensors 55 for processing by the server 65.Specifically, a surgical tray 100 is used in surgery. A tag 60 is placedinside the tray 100 in order to track the tray within the facility. Thetray 100 is sent to an autoclave 105 on a lower floor of the facilityfor sterilization subsequent to the surgery procedure. The movement ofthe tray 100 is tracked by the tag 60 and the tracking system 50 of thepresent invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, a tag 60 preferably includes a microcontroller orprocessor 101, a wireless network interface 103 having an antenna, apower supply 104, a motion sensor 105 and a temperature sensor 106. Theprocessor 101 is in communication with the temperature sensor 106,motion sensor 105 and wireless network interface 103. The power supply104 preferably provides power to the processor 101, the motion sensor104, the temperature sensor 106 and the wireless network interface 103.The power supply 104 is preferably a battery such as a lithium battery.The power supply 104 is preferably the only source of power for the tag60. Conserving the energy use of the tag 60 allows the tag 60 to havegreater use period before needing to be recharged or replaced.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 4B, the temperature sensor106 is a thermally activated switch positioned between the power supply104 and the entirety of the circuit, including the processor 101, thewireless network interface 103 and the motion sensor 105. Thetemperature sensor 106 preferably comprises a bimetallic switch which istemperature controlled and deactivates the power supply to the entiretyof the circuit when the temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold.In operation, the bimetallic switch opens upon the internal housingtemperature exceeding a predetermined range/limit thereby interruptingcurrent flow from the power supply (battery) 104 to the entirety of thecircuit. The bimetallic switch does not close until the temperature isagain within the predetermined range, which is preferably between 40° F.to 120° F.

Preferably the components of the tag are enclosed within a housing 114indicated by the dashed line. The housing 114 is preferably composed ofan extreme temperature resistant and moisture resistant material. A mostpreferred material is ULTEM polyetherimide resin, available from GEPlastics. The housing preferably has a thickness ranging from 1millimeter (“mm”) to 5 mm, more preferably 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm, and mostpreferably 2 mm. The electrical components of the tag 60 are preferablycontained within the housing 114, and the housing 114 is preferablyultrasonically welded. The housing 114 preferably has dimensions of 1inch width by 1.6 inches length by 0.5 inch thickness. The housing 114is preferably pneumatically leak tested to verify the ultrasonic weld.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the tag 60 has a housing 114 with an integratedcircuit 101′ and power supply 104 therein. The integrated circuit 101′preferably includes a microcontroller or processor, a wireless networkinterface having an antenna, a motion sensor, a temperature sensor, andan analog-to-digital converter. In a most preferred embodiment, theelectrical components of the tag 60 are on a single integrated circuitsuch as a CC2430 from Texas Instruments. The CC2430 preferably has acurrent consumption of 27 milliamps during transmitting and receiving,and a 0.3 micro-amp consumption in a sleep mode. Those skilled in thepertinent art will recognize that other integrated circuits may be usedwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Reducing the power consumption of the tag 60 is an important aspect ofthe present invention. Typically, an asset 100 bearing a tag 60 is inmotion ten percent of the day. When in motion, the tag 60 preferablybroadcasts a status signal every five seconds. Typically, ninety percentof the day, the tag 60 is motionless and broadcasts a status signalevery ten minutes. Those skilled in the pertinent art will recognizethat the broadcasts from the tag 60 may vary without departing from thescope and spirit of the present invention.

The temperature sensor 106 preferably measures the temperature of theinterior of the housing 114 in which the electrical components of thetag 60 are located. When the temperature sensor 106 detects an extremetemperature, the microcontroller deactivates the electrical componentsof the tag 60. A preferred extreme temperature threshold is 120 degreesFahrenheit. When the tag 60 is in the deactivation mode, the temperaturesensor is preferably the only operational component. Preferably everyeight minutes, the temperature sensor awakes from a sleep mode andmeasures the temperature of the interior of the housing 114. If thetemperature is still outside of an acceptable operating range, thetemperature sensor 106 returns to a sleep mode. If the temperature iswithin an acceptable operating range, the microcontroller reactivatesthe other electrical components of the tag 60.

A method 200 of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. At block202, the tracking of a location of an asset 100 bearing a tag 60 isperformed by the sensors 55 of the system 50 which receive readings fromeach tag 60. For location tracking, a sensor 55 receives a signal whichincludes reading inputs from a tag 60. The reading inputs from the tag60 preferably include the tag identification, the signal strength, thelink quality, the time of the reading, and the internal temperature ofthe tag, all of which are inputted as a single sensor reading. In thismanner, the system is able to track the location of the asset 100bearing the tag 60. At block 204, an internal temperature of the tag ismonitored by the temperature sensor 106. At block 206, an internaltemperature outside of an acceptable range is detected by thetemperature sensor 106. At block 208, a microcontroller activates asleep mode for the tag, which deactivates all of the electricalcomponents of the tag 60 except for the temperature sensor 106 whichperiodically activates to measure the internal temperature. At decision210, the temperature sensor 106 determines if the internal temperatureis within an acceptable range. If the internal temperature is stilloutside of an acceptable operating range at block 212, then at block 214the sleep mode is maintained for the tag 60. If the internal temperatureis within an acceptable range at block 216, then at block 218 themicrocontroller reactivates an operating mode for the tag 60.

From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the pertinentart will recognize the meritorious advancement of this invention andwill readily understand that while the present invention has beendescribed in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, and otherembodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, numerous changesmodification and substitutions of equivalents may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which isintended to be unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in thefollowing appended claim. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention inwhich an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in thefollowing appended claims.

1. A method for real-time location monitoring of a sterilizable object,the method comprising: tracking a location of a sterilizable objectbearing a tag; detecting an internal temperature of the tag exceeding anacceptable operating temperature range for the tag, the acceptableoperating temperature for the tag ranging from 40° F. to 120° F.;activating a sleep mode for the tag; determining an internal temperatureof the tag within the operating range for the tag; and reactivating anoperating mode for the tag.